LAHORE:
Hospitals across Punjab are gearing up to welcome an expected influx of patients suffering from gastric disorders, hypertension, food poisoning and heart complications linked to excessive consumption of sacrificial meat during Eidul Azha.
According to doctors, the provincial capital witnesses a recurring health problem every year after Eid prayers, when families start consuming large quantities of beef and mutton throughout the day without proper dietary balance and cooking precautions.
They said hospitals were busy finalizing necessary arrangements to take care of patients suffering from overnutrition during the days of Eid.
People have parties to enjoy meat together during the holidays.
According to hospital administrations, emergency departments often receive patients complaining of severe acidity, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, gallbladder problems and high blood pressure caused by excessive eating during Eid gatherings.
Health experts warn that the problem is not with the meat itself but with the unhealthy way in which it is consumed. Heavy breakfasts containing fried liver, barbecue evenings, fatty curries and repeated meat-based meals put unusual strain on the digestive system.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Amjad Mahmood said hospitals in Lahore recorded an increase in gastric and cardiac emergencies every year during the Eid season.
“People suddenly switch from their usual eating habits to non-stop meat consumption for three consecutive days. Many people together consume excessive amounts of barbecue, karahi, pulao, fried liver and soft drinks. This creates severe digestive stress and can become dangerous for heart patients, diabetics and the elderly,” he explained.
According to doctors, several cases recorded during the previous Eidul Azha holidays involved patients arriving at emergency departments with chest pains which later turned out to be serious gastric complications triggered by excessive eating. Others have suffered food poisoning from improperly stored meat exposed to heat for long periods of time. Healthcare professionals in Lahore say patients suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, liver disorders, ulcers and cholesterol problems should exercise extreme caution. They particularly discouraged these patients from consuming excessive fatty grills, brain curry, kidney dishes and fatty meat.
Nutrition consultant Dr Sara Khalid has warned that uncontrolled Eid eating habits are silently harming public health.
“Every year we see people treating Eid as a license to eat as much as they want. The digestive system cannot continually process heavy proteins and fats without consequences. Overeating often leads to bloating, constipation, severe acidity, disturbed blood sugar levels and, in some cases, serious heart complications,” she said.
She added that many citizens ignore water consumption while consuming salty and spicy meat dishes throughout the day, thereby increasing the risk of dehydration and kidney stress in hot weather in Lahore.
